Oregon's New Groundwater Rules: What You Need to Know

The Deschutes Basin's unique hydrology is defined by its groundwater-dependent river system and permeable volcanic soils, with water primarily sourced from Cascade Mountain precipitation. However, declining groundwater levels and increasing demand have prompted new rules in Oregon to ensure long-term water sustainability and protect existing water rights.

Key Groundwater Points to Understand:

• In the Deschutes Basin, groundwater typically exists in tiny spaces between rocks and soil, not as underground rivers.
• Water in the Deschutes Basin comes primarily from precipitation in the Cascade Mountain Range; precipitation decreases as you travel eastward toward the population centers in the basin.  
• The Upper Deschutes Basin has very permeable volcanic soils that allow water to soak into the groundwater rather than run off as surface water streams.
• The Deschutes River is a spring-fed, groundwater-driven river system.
• Groundwater flows on long regional paths from the Cascades to spring complexes contributing to river flow.
• Groundwater and surface water are connected, not separate systems.
• The Deschutes Groundwater Mitigation Program acknowledges the connection between groundwater and surface water and facilitates access to new groundwater rights through an exchange for surface water rights.
• Groundwater levels have been declining in parts of the Deschutes Basin, especially further from recharge zones in the Cascades.
• Declining groundwater levels can have negative impacts like increased pumping costs, reduced streamflow, and deteriorating water quality.
• The objective of Oregon’s new groundwater rules is to be more sustainable and protective of existing water rights holders, both instream and out-of-stream.  
• Oregon’s new groundwater rules now require a process to determine if water is available, meaning groundwater levels must be reasonably stable (less than 25 feet of decline) before a new right is issued.  
• These new rules only apply to new groundwater rights; existing surface and groundwater rights and exempt groundwater users (i.e., domestic wells) are unaffected by these rule changes.

‍

If you want to take a deeper dive, please check out our Raise the Deschutes Seminar on the new groundwater rules:

‍